Tagged: Lineups (batting, not police)

"FLIP-FLOP: Baker said he has thought about instances in which he might have Tony Womack lead off and drop Juan Pierre to No. 2 in the lineup. "There will come a situation,” he said. "I have to sit down and talk to both of them. Womack can do more now in the second spot bunting and the hit-and-run than Juan can. "As far as stealing, Juan might have the nod for speed. I’ve got to see how good Tony is running before I can make the decision.”

======================================

Bad enough to have Womack in the lineup everyday … but to bat him LEADOFF???

Here are Womack’s stats by batting order position since the beginning of the 2000 season:

Slot

AB

Hits

2B

3B

HR

RBI

BB

HBP

K

BA

OBA

Slug%

#1

2163

589

84

25

21

168

127

18

252

.272

.316

.363

#2

217

57

3

2

0

12

7

0

31

.263

.282

.295

#3

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

.000

.000

.000

#4

6

2

1

0

0

1

0

0

1

.333

.333

.500

#5

4

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

.250

.250

.250

#6

9

1

0

0

0

2

0

0

0

.111

.100

.111

#7

113

28

4

1

0

9

5

1

19

.248

.286

.301

#8

225

62

10

4

1

23

13

0

32

.276

.312

.369

#9

214

58

8

0

0

8

8

3

31

.271

.307

.308

OK, so he DOES have a higher OBP as a leadoff man than as a #2 hitter, but that OBP is basically the same as when he is hitting in the 8 slot. Heck, Jose Reyes has a higher OBP in the leadoff slot.

Fortunately for us "Sabermetric" types, the Cubs traded for Phil Nevin yesterday, so Walker will probably move back to his natural 2B position, and Womack can (hopefully) ride the pine.